Van Gari Woman
This particular postcard is among the hardest of Gerhardt's early works for The Ravi Varma Press to find, despite the effective use of depth of field to bring life to the scene.
Undivided back
Dancing Girl and Musician
One of the most popular of early nautch postcards, made in many variations by Clifton & Co. As is so often the case, the musician lends colour and evokes the dance even if, in this case, they are probably standing very still in the studio.
Queen's Mosque, Ahmedabad
Among the earliest postcards – and certainly early color postcards – of Ahmedabad is this view of Rani Rupamati's Mosque, built in the early 15th century and still standing.
Mar Nala, Srinagar (Kashmir)
Before the Mar Nala (canal) was built, the excess water of the Dal Lake flowed into river Jhelum at Habba Kadal. This view was published by F.
Rope Bridge over Jhelum River, Rampur Kashmir
Rope bridges, a death-defying way of sliding across rivers and canals in Kashmir were described by the American photographer James Ricalton: "Among the Himalayas several kinds of primitive bridges are in use; there are two kinds here before us now.
Mudellar [Mudaliar] Caste Lady
![Mudellar [Mudaliar] Caste Lady](https://www.paperjewels.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/slides/nautch-girl-india-handwritten.jpg?itok=e4TJdqcz "Mudellar [Mudaliar] Caste Lady")
Possibly a dancer in a nicely hand-tinted postcard; note the red tip of the plant pointing to the lady.
Sinkaleesch [Singhalese]
![Sinkaleesch [Singhalese]](https://www.paperjewels.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/slides/singhalese-portrait_0.jpg?itok=5T0BUfz4 "Sinkaleesch [Singhalese]")
There are very few Dutch postcards, let alone early ones, of India, but this is a splendid exception.
The Syce
A drawing by the painter M.V. Dhurandhar that animates the meaning of "syce" as having to do with "coaxing." It was defined by Hobson-Jobson (1906): "SYCE (p. 885) SYCE , s. Hind. from Ar. sāïs. A groom.
Victoria Driver
A lovely character sketch by the artist M.V. Dhurandhar of a carriage driver in turn of the century Bombay.
Ceylon
A Singer Manufacturing Co. advertising card made in connection with the World Columbia Exhibition in 1893.
[Verso, Original caption] “There is a picturesque island in the Indian Ocean, separated from Peninsular India by the Gulf of Manaar.
